Important: Homzora is a housing research publisher, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. This article is general information about the law as published by government and court sources at the time of writing, and it may not reflect later changes or the facts of your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney and client relationship. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization in your state.
About 54.0 percent of occupied homes in the city of Chicago are rented, since the Census Bureau puts the owner occupied housing rate at 46.0% for 2020 to 2024, and the median gross rent is $1,440 a month (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago). Every one of those households went through an application, and the rules on fees and screening decide what you pay up front and how a landlord can judge you.
This guide explains application fees and tenant screening in Chicago under Illinois law and any local rules: what a landlord can charge, what it must tell you, how criminal history, credit, eviction records, and vouchers can be used, and what to do if you are denied.
Quick answers
- Reusable reports: if you provide a qualifying report, the landlord cannot charge a screening fee (765 ILCS 705/30).
- Criminal history in Cook County: no background check until you prequalify, and no records older than 3 years (Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Just Housing Amendment flyer (2026)).
- Vouchers: source of income is protected under state law (775 ILCS 5/3-102).
- Arrest records: protected under state law (775 ILCS 5/3-102).
Income requirements at local rents
Income requirements are one of the most common screening criteria. As an illustration only, a landlord requiring income of three times the rent would expect about $4,320 a month, or $51,840 a year, at the median gross rent of $1,440. Requirements vary by landlord and some laws limit them, so ask for the exact standard in writing.
Application fees and reusable reports
Illinois does not set a dollar cap on application fees in the reusable report law, but if you give the landlord a qualifying reusable screening report prepared within the previous 30 days, the landlord may not charge a fee to access it or an application screening fee (765 ILCS 705/30).
Criminal history in Chicago and Cook County
Cook County’s Just Housing Amendment, which applies in Chicago, sets a three step process. First the landlord prequalifies you on factors like income, rental history, and credit; criminal background checks cannot be run during that step. Only after you prequalify may the landlord run a check and do an individualized assessment, and it cannot consider criminal history more than three years old (Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Just Housing Amendment flyer (2026)). You get five business days to produce evidence disputing conviction information, and denials must be in writing with an explanation and notice of your right to complain (Cook County, Just Housing screening process).
Vouchers and source of income
The Illinois Human Rights Act bars housing discrimination based on source of income and arrest records (775 ILCS 5/3-102). Chicago also lists source of income as a protected class (Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Protected classes).
Eviction records
Illinois courts can seal eviction files in some cases and must seal them in others, such as certain dismissed cases (735 ILCS 5/9-121).
Your federal rights if you are denied
Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, a landlord that denies you, requires a cosigner, or charges a larger deposit or higher rent based even partly on a consumer report must give you an adverse action notice. It must name the screening company, say that the company did not make the decision, and explain your right to dispute the report and to get a free copy if you ask within 60 days (FTC, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know). The CFPB adds that a screening company generally has 30 days to investigate a dispute, and sometimes 45 (CFPB, If your rental application is denied because of a screening report).
At the federal level, HUD withdrew its 2016 guidance on how the Fair Housing Act applies to the use of criminal records, effective September 25, 2025 (Federal Register, HUD withdrawal of 2016 criminal records guidance (July 17, 2026)). State and local rules described in this guide still apply where they exist.
Where to get help in Chicago
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations takes complaints within 365 days of the incident (Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Discrimination FAQ). For other assistance, call 211 (211.org).
Fair housing
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental terms because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability (42 U.S.C. § 3604). HUD accepts complaints (HUD, File a Complaint).
Before you pay an application fee
- Ask for the landlord’s screening criteria in writing.
- Ask exactly what the fee covers and whether any part is refundable.
- Ask how many applications are already pending for the unit.
- Ask how long a decision will take and how you will be notified.
- Ask whether the landlord accepts a reusable screening report you already have.
Documents to have ready
- Photo identification for every adult applicant.
- Recent pay stubs or an offer letter, and benefit award letters.
- Bank statements if you are self employed or have irregular income.
- Contact information for current and past landlords.
- Voucher paperwork if you use housing assistance.
- A guarantor’s information and documents if one is needed.
Check your own records first
Before applying, review your credit reports from each of the three national credit bureaus and look for errors, old debts you have paid, or accounts you do not recognize. If you have had an eviction case or a criminal record, find out whether it was sealed or dismissed, since many places limit what landlords can use. Fixing errors before you apply is far easier than disputing them after a denial.
If you have limited or poor credit
- Offer a larger share of rent from savings or proof of steady income.
- Ask whether a cosigner or guarantor is accepted.
- Provide references from past landlords showing on time payments.
- Write a short letter explaining a past problem and how it was resolved.
- Ask whether the landlord will consider alternative evidence of ability to pay.
Red flags during the application
Be cautious if someone asks for a fee before you can see the unit, asks you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, refuses to give screening criteria, or pressures you to decide immediately. Legitimate landlords usually explain their criteria, accept traceable payment methods, and let you tour the home or a verified video tour before you pay.
If you are denied
- Ask for the reasons in writing if you did not receive them.
- Request the free copy of any screening report used.
- Dispute any errors with the screening company in writing.
- Keep copies of every letter, email, and receipt.
- Contact a fair housing organization or legal aid office if you believe the denial was discriminatory.
Build your evidence file
Landlord and tenant disputes are usually decided by documents. Keep these together from the day you sign:
- The signed lease, every addendum, and every renewal.
- Receipts or bank records for the deposit and each rent payment.
- Dated photos and video of every room at move in and move out.
- Copies of every repair request and the landlord’s replies.
- Every notice you send or receive, with proof of delivery.
Keep copies somewhere other than your phone, such as an email to yourself, so they survive a lost device.
Holding deposits
Some landlords ask for a holding deposit to take a unit off the market while your application is processed or before you sign. Before paying, get in writing how much it is, how long it holds the unit, whether it will be applied to your first month or deposit, and when it will be refunded if you are not approved or change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an application fee cap in Chicago?
We found no dollar cap, but a qualifying reusable report means no screening fee (765 ILCS 705/30).
How far back can a landlord look at criminal history?
In Cook County, no more than three years (Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Just Housing Amendment flyer (2026)).
Can a Chicago landlord refuse my voucher?
No. Source of income is protected (775 ILCS 5/3-102; Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Protected classes).
What must a denial notice include?
If a consumer report was used, the name of the screening company, a statement that it did not make the decision, and your rights to dispute and to a free copy within 60 days (FTC, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know).
Legal notice
Homzora is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws, court rules, and local programs change, and how they apply depends on your facts. Before you act on anything in this article, confirm the current rules with the court, a licensed attorney, or a legal aid organization.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago
- 765 ILCS 705/30
- Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Just Housing Amendment flyer (2026)
- 775 ILCS 5/3-102
- Cook County, Just Housing screening process
- Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Protected classes
- 735 ILCS 5/9-121
- FTC, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know
- CFPB, If your rental application is denied because of a screening report
- Federal Register, HUD withdrawal of 2016 criminal records guidance (July 17, 2026)
- Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Discrimination FAQ
- 211.org
- 42 U.S.C. § 3604
- HUD, File a Complaint